How to  tie or wear your African head-gear (gele)

Tying your head-gear is as easy as making a bow but more versatile. The following steps will work you through the basic styles. Head-wrap styles are as versatile as your imagination can take you.

Step 1: Start by folding the head gear piece to a width of about six inches. This can be achieved by folding the piece in half lengthwise, and then folding again twice or so.

Step 2: Wrap the piece around your head with the right side extending about one and half over the left side.

Step 3: Push in the left side but keep the ends out while crossing the right side over (on top of the left end); also keep the right-side ends out.

Step 4:   Pull both ends as tight as desired. Push the left side while pulling the right side to get the desired comfort.

Step 5: Push in the right side only from where it touches the left side but without pulling it all the way through. This forms a bow.

Step 6: You may now move this bow to the front, to the side (left or right) or leave it on the back; the choice is yours.

Step 7: Spread out the two ends to obtain a rose petal look, or pin the two ends to obtain yet another look. The different possible styles and looks are endless. You'll be surprised what you can achieve by experimenting.